japan

In March 2011, an earthquake and tsunami devastated the eastern coast of Japan. Thousands of people were killed, and scores more were displaced as a result of the natural disaster. The earthquake and resulting tsunami caused the meltdown of a nuclear power station located in Fukushima Prefecture. Radioactive material leaked into the Pacific Ocean, and the area surrounding the plant became irradiated. This led to the development of an exclusion zone around the plant, and the evacuation of cities near the stricken nuclear site.

Columbia shares connections with many international cities, including its sister city of Hakusan City in Japan.

City officials welcomed delegates this week from Columbia’s sister city Hakusan City in Japan. The visit commemorated the 25th anniversary of the relationship between the two cities. City Councilwoman Barbara Hoppe and Chairman Fukuda Hiroshi each gave a speech renewing the commitment between the two cities and exchanged gifts from each locality.